Ocean Retreat & Spa
Location: Bodu Magu, Guraidhoo, 08080, Guraidhoo, MV
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Property Type: Hotels
About this Property
Rooftop Terrace with Scenic Views
Dining Options and Room Service
Convenient Amenities and Services
Book your stay at Ocean Retreat & Spa now to experience these fantastic features and more!
Important Information
- The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
Amenities & Facilities
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Luggage storage
- Wheelchair accessible
- Picnic area
- Scuba diving nearby
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Smoke-free property
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Snack bar/deli
- Rooftop terrace
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Private beach nearby
Rooms Available
-
Superior Room
1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
Overlooking the sea
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Cable channels
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), and room service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, deep soaking bathtub
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request)
Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Minibar
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Room service
- Free WiFi
- Deep soaking bathtub
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Paper towels
- Bed sheets not available
-
Standard Room
1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
Overlooking the city
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Cable channels
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), and room service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request)
Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Room service
- Free WiFi
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Paper towels
- Bed sheets not available
-
Deluxe Room
1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
Overlooking the city
Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - Cable channels
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), and room service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, free toiletries, and towels
Practical - Safe, laptop workspace, and iron/ironing board (on request)
Comfort - Climate-controlled air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Connecting/adjoining rooms can be requested, subject to availability
Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Minibar
- Shower
- Safety deposit box
- TV
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Interconnected room(s) available
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Room service
- Free WiFi
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Paper towels
- Bed sheets not available
Guest Reviews
- baya (6/5): - My experience at Ocean Retreat & Spa was overall disappointing. While the hotel is clean and initially felt welcoming, that impression quickly faded. The manager was very warm and friendly when we arrived, but his attitude changed drastically once the payment was made—he became cold, distant, and uninterested. It was clear that he was more focused on profit than on guest satisfaction.
As for the island of Guraidhoo, it’s quiet but there’s very little to do. It might be suitable for a short stopover, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here for your entire vacation unless you’re looking for a very slow-paced, uneventful stay. Other islands like Maafushi offer a far richer and more engaging experience.
- R2286HOdanielm (6/5): Rustic island without the frills of bigger islands - Our 2nd week on Maldives having been to Maldives 9 years ago. New to this island. It reminds me of what Maafushi was probably like 20 years ago. I can see it ending up like Maafushi with 50 hotels and tons of restaurants.
At the moment it is quite untouched. Very reasonable priced hotels. I paid £50 a night for our room for 2. This was more a rustic guest house rather than hotel. There is NO LIFT. I have severe walking difficulties so found our room on the third floor difficult to get to. Everything you would expect in this rustic guest house. Although there for 6n not once was ANY of our 3 rooms cleaned. No towels changed etc. Breakfast was sufficient but basic buffet. toast and croissants provided as well as boiled eggs, 'chicken' sausages and kind of turkey bacon. Usual cereals and 'fruit' juices/tea/coffee.
Took about 10 mins to walk to bikini beach. Don't be fooled with the hotel photos as it looks like they have their own beach. There is a terrace on the top floor with an old indoor jacuzzi bath (but not switched on or any water). This terrace had beautiful sea views.
Also bikini beach is very beautiful but not very good due to seating. It is clean. sea is beautiful but it lacks basic amenities. There are about 8-10 double sunbeds covered areas but that's it. There's the odd couple of broken damaged sunbeds but that's it. Only a couple of palm trees providing shade. Think this island could make a fortune if they had sunbeds for hire. As previously stated I have mobility issues so getting actually down on the beach is difficult for me so this impaired my experience.
Limited number of places to eat at night and more expensive than other islands. Much quieter pace of life on this island. My party of 6 preferred this island than the busier Maafushi (however, I preferred Maafushi).
I think in the future this will be a very populated island. So if you like rustic, quiet islands with very little to do it will suit you. But your options are limited here.
- CHEN WEI (10/5): - 這間居民島很休閒,很適合來放空。
我是買含三餐的住宿,很早以前就預定了,價格實惠。
環島的浮潛點很多,到處都很美。
我們另有包船出海,大約4小時100美金。來回船票US$25/person,以maldives算是很經濟的地方。
建議不要進MALE,真接到這裡來再安排一島一飯店
- Maria Palma (8/5): - Su 8 notti solo una volta hanno pulito male la camera.
- György (8/5): Kiváló hotel Maldívon : Guraidhoo szigetén - Kiváló szálloda. Kellemes szobák, megfelelő méretűek, kényelmesek. A szobák tiszták és a fürdőszoba is tiszta.
A recepciós, és a személyzet nagyos kedves és segítőkész. Sok program lehetőséget is adnak, sokféle a lehetőség.
A reggeli kiváló. A hotelben 10 dollárért akár vacsorát is rendeznek de előre kell szólni.
A hotel személyzete fogad a kikötőben és jönnek kis kocsival a bőröndökért, természetesen előre egyeztetés előtt.
- Ole (10/5): - Alles supi
- Fuad (8/5): - Plassen er idelisk og stille. Fantastiske bademuligheter. Personalet er hjelpsomme, men det er liten variasjon når det gjelder maten. Det er ingen meieriprodukter til frokost.
- Carina (10/5): - We had another wonderful vacation at the Ocean Retreat. Thank you for everything, whether it was help with sunburn, questions about the transfer or simply about life on Guraidhoo. We felt very comfortable. The buffet is delicious and the price-performance ratio is simply great. Khalek and all the other staff make your stay a real feel-good vacation.
- Per (10/5): - A very cozy and nice hotel . The personal were very nice and helpful . You could get help with excursions and transport from the hotel. Very nice surroundings and close to the fantastic Bikinibeach. Very nice food. Prise was very good compared with other hotels .
- Ozan (6/5): Extremely Bad Excursion Staff - As someone who has traveled to more than 30 countries, this is the first time I will write such a comment. The excursion manager of the hotel is an incompatible person named Zizu. He discriminated against us among other guests because we did not participate in the trip he wanted. He scammed us and charged us $20 extra per head. Moreover, despite this, he always ignored our questions and requests until the last day. Almost everything we dreamed of was ruined because of him. The hotel's biggest problem is Zizu. Apart from this, the kitchen staff was friendly and attentive. Room attendant Khalek was a respectful person who did his job extremely well. The reception was also polite and respectful. The meals were sufficient and satisfying. The rooms, facilities and location were very satisfactory. Guraidhoo is a small and quiet island. Don't go with high expectations. It can be preferred for tranquility and plenty of siesta. But because of Zizu, I would never consider going there again. Thank you to other employees for their interest and concern.
- emilio (10/5): - I liked everything. The only thing i didn’t like very much was the food: too much curry and too much spacy ( that i hate ).
- mohd (10/5): - Food was amazing very taste.
Beach was the best beach we seen in our life.
Staff very helpful.
People very nice.cats were soo cute living by the ocean its soo nice.
Loved the weather rain and shine all times.
- Günther (10/5): - Sehr nett und freundlich zu vor kommend und hilfsbereit in allen Bereichen
- Jason (10/5): - Great value, rooms were clean and tidy, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Guriadhoo was very safe and had some beautiful beachs, and amazing diving. You could surf at riptides, a fun right hander just be careful of 5 min paddle across the channel, foxys the left hander was a bit fickle and best at mid to high tide, Much better value than staying at the expensive resorts or kandoma holiday inn
- Cristina (10/5): - Sehr gutes Essen, (könnte manchmal reichhaltiger sein), täglich eine kostenlose große Flasche Wasser, sehr freundliches Personal und tolles Strand mit kostenlosen Liegen und Sonnenschirme (Bikinistrand in 3-5 Gehminuten erreichbar, Dachterrasse mit traumhaften Ausblick.
Empfehlung an den Besitzer: Duschvorhänge erneuern und für einen schönen Raumduft im Treppenhaus sorgen.
Sonst alles top! Vielen Dank!
- Martin (10/5): - Just amazing❤️❤️❤️
- Divya (10/5): - Excellent property for a budget friendly stay
- agrippino (8/5): Relax - Buono X quello che si paga
- Milena (10/5): More then I was expected - I just want to thanks to all staff in hotel there are amazing and helpful. First of all you can come to there via private tranfer or public depends what you preferred more but it’s very good both off. Near to the hotel is port few minutes walking. Hotel has amazing welcome room and very clean dining area. Room are very clean with all cofeee tea water just no soap and gel(that you need to take from home) . Beach is the best that I see there in few island oround. You have sun beds and umbrellas for free and it’s only for tourist . Area oround is that you have one small cafe to buy drinks and in the island you will find also a lot to eat . All in I just want to give 10 even I am sure that they will upgrade something after my stay. Thanks a lot for beautiful stay.
- marcinkK3535GV (10/5): This is by far the best hotel on Guraidhoo Island. It is located on the central street with shops and at the same time on the be - This is by far the best hotel on Guraidhoo Island. It is located on the central street with shops and at the same time on the beach. The hotel has its own bikini beach, fenced with deckchairs and canopies. Postcard beach. The hotel staff are extremely friendly and helpful people. All requests are fulfilled immediately. Great apartments on its own
upstairs with a huge terrace and a wonderful view of the ocean. Rooms and bathrooms clean and tidy. Cleaned daily and bottled water provided. Air conditioning and fan work perfectly.
Manager Zizu very helpful, competent and patient. The cuisine is indisputably the best on the island. People from other hotels booked our restaurant reservations and that means something. Varied and delicious meals. I recommend Zizu's sandbank trips, swimming with sharks and manta rays, snorkeling and traditional fishing followed by grilling. To sum up, this is a great family hotel that offers really high quality for a good price. Dear Abdul who helped us with practically everything. Paradise holidays, jaw-dropping views and great attractions with a thrill. With a clear conscience. We highly recommend.
- Alexandrugabriel (2/5): DO NOT BOOK HERE - AVOID this hotel!!
Me and my family, where 24 hours before arriving already in airport when a message on whatsapp came from them, saying that no more room availability due to a "system error"!!!
Same message came also for another couple that was having a booking to same hotel.
They are trying to put you in another hotel, saying that is superior (don't be fuelled by this strategy) - this behavior seems to be common in Maldives as we had similar experience on another island.
Due to this behavior, I had to book another hotel as I did not wanted to accept other hotel (smaller rooms, etc) because also they CANCELED our stay to their hotel.
Because of this, I lost time, MONEY and a lot of stress.
DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM if you want an easy and nice vacation!!
- Lleidatanna (4/5): Dust everywhere! - We entered our room covered by dust everywhere and rapidly noticed that the safe was not working. We opened the fridge and found out that they did not empty it from the previous guests. We informed the reception and the only answer we got was "ok", yet no one care to come and empty it. The day after, when we came back around 16h from Bikini Beach and realized they did not enter the room neither for the housekeeping service nor to empty the fridge, we asked them again to come right away and take the old food and drinks inside the fridge.
Also, we did not get any amenity during our stay, but a dirty and refilled mini gel (they could at least clean the cover).
To end our stay, we found a bday balloon under the bed from God knows when- covered by dust. Clearly, they never bothered to mop under the bed.
Definitely, not sure how they got the 1st position on stays in Guraidhoo.
- Sarahsed77 (10/5): Amazing people on an amazing island - The experience at Guraidhoo island was really amazing. The island is local, so you have to take in count that it will not be residences and staff like this. This hotel is really pretty, clean and familiar. The food is really good. The staff is absolutely the best; all the people there is so kind and helpfull.
I stayed here for more or less one week and every day we went to another trip/excursion. My favourite excursion was the shark excursion, but also the others (we saw the coral reef, the turtles, the dolphins, we went fishing…) were so spectacular.
During all the trips the staff will make for you the lunch, that can take on: fresh fruits (orange, coconut, watermelon) some rice, salads etc. One day after an excursion they took us (like always) in another island or it could be a sand board and cooked for us a typical maldivian lunch. So delicious!
The staff really take care about every details.
You can see in their eyes the real kindness!
After my holiday I can say, that the magnificent landscape and the wonderful animals take a back seat. I will always carry with me the memory of the caring and heartfelt people I left on this island.
- JanOtte12 (10/5): nice and cozy - Very clean. The accommodations were of good quality. The room was not small, it had balcony which was very nice. Breakfast had various dishes , especially tuna balls very tasty. The staff always very friendly, if you have a problem trying to solve it in a best way. The rooftop gives you a great view on the island and the ocean. Wonderful hotel
- asarey7588 (10/5): Recommend to everyone - We stayed 2 nights. Clean room and friendly staff. Nice location. Very near to beach and good ventilation.
Good food available from nearby restaurant for cheap. (Kasimbe restaurant) Room service also available.
Indoor games available at the hotel.
- SloMojca (4/5): A disappointing stay in Maldives - To be honest, I have somewhat mixed feelings about this place.
As I entered my room, I discovered it only had a tiny window, so daylight in our room was virtually nonexistent. The room had plenty of amenities, such as a safe, a water heater, a refrigerator and a TV set, but guess what: none of them worked, for instance the safe couldn't be locked. Upon my complaint they first made the TV and water heater work. They promised the refrigerator should also start working (the electricity was off), but it didn't. They admitted the safe was defective and promissed me a new one - if they knew about it in advance why didn't they do it before (did they think I wouldn't notice?). Since by the next day the refrigerator was still warm, I asked the staff again to make it work. They finally found a switch in the back that was turned off. It took them 3 days altogether to get me a working safe.
Our room was not cleaned every day, they just skipped 2 of them. But even when it was cleaned, the cleaning was sloppy. For instance, our trash cans weren't emptied for 3 days. Just to remind you, you're not allowed to throw toilet paper in the toilet but have to put it in an adjacent trash can. So a can full of filthy, smelly toilet paper was left in our bathroom for 3 days before they remembered to empty it.
The worst part was the mosque in a close vicinity of the hotel. They make prayers on the speakers 5 times a day, one at 5 in the morning. It woke me up virtually every night, so I was never able to get a good night sleep.
The hotel beach is just a sad sight. There are only a few sunbeds and very little shading is provided, enough for about 6 sunbeds.
The name of the hotel has a word "spa" in it, but be aware: there is no spa.
However, there are some strong points. To have this many amenities in a 3-star hotel in Maldives is surprising, I would at least wish they all worked from the start. Moreover, the staff is wonderful, friendly and respectful. The food choices may not be lavish, but the food is delicious. As tap water is not drinkable, they provide you with plenty of bottled water.
I also have to make a separate grading for the excursions they offer, which definitely deserve 5 stars. Whatever they promise for the trip, they will provide. They are making hard effort to make you feel comfortable and welcome, they're very helpful on the sites, they keep taking pictures and making videos which they later send to you.
I don't recommend this place, unless you feel staying cheap is your preference. I will not be returning here.
- Carina (10/5): - Unser Zimmer war ganz oben auf der Terrasse (2 Zimmer des Hotel sind im Dachgeschoss) und wir hätten nicht glücklicher mit dieser Zuteilung sein können. Die Dachterrasse bietet nachts einen traumhaften Blick auf die Sterne. Die Liegen dort oben sind zahlreich, und bieten zusätzlich tagsüber die Möglichkeit zum Sonne tanken, falls man Mal nicht zum Strand gehen kann.
Der Bikini Beach hat tolle Hängesessel im Schatten, aber auch bei Bedarf Liegen. Die Hängematte von Guraidhoo (mit dem Schild Guraidhoo) sollte dringend restauriert werden, da mag man sich nicht so gern reinlegen.
Leute nehmt euren Müll mit am Strand, ich habe so oft erlebt, dass Touristen ihren Müll stehen lassen. Das geht gar nicht, seid ein Vorbild, dann sieht der Bikini Beach umso schöner aus.
Wir empfehlen einen täglichen Spaziergang über die Insel. Soviel gibt's zu entdecken, an kleinen Alltagsszenen aber auch Dingen die wir ins unserer europäischen Bubbel nicht sehen. Für die persönlichen Bedürfnisse findet man einige Läden auf der Insel, wo man Snacks, Getränke etc. kaufen kann. Tolles Essen (das Buffet am Abend, der Hammer), großartiges Team in der Küche.
Wir kommen wieder!
- EvgenyF77 (2/5): Worst place in the world - this guest house have NO their own (private) beach - all beaches are public, moreover, tourists are allowed to use only a small bikini beach.
The distance from Ocean Retreat and Spa to the bikini beach is more then 300 meters.
Room service - works only until 14:00, works exclusively on request: the toilet paper runs out, you need to change towels, linen - you need to go down to the reception, explain what you need, the owners start to argue and ask: “Why do you need to change? "," Let's go later, tomorrow "," We will not change anything today. ", If you went down after 14-00, then there is a high probability that the answer is TOMORROW or" NEVER "; during religious prayers, five times a day, the hotel staff went to pray, there was no one at the reception, at night only a “security guard” was on duty (sleeping) in the house, he can do nothing to help if you have any questions.
The breakfast was every day the same, very poor. Every day they served: cold omelet (nothing was cooked on request), cold boiled eggs, tortillas, white bread, canned tuna, canned (or smoked) tuna, sausages, sometimes fruits (watermelon, oranges, once there was pineapple), tea, instant coffee.
In the description of this place there is a restaurant - it is FALSE. It cannot be called a restaurant. In a place where breakfast is served, you can ask for food for lunch or dinner, no choice, no menu. Food is spicy, not tasty: rice and chicken, rice and seafood (from frozen products), salad with sluggish tomatoes and onions - one meal is $ 5 per person, regardless of whether you like it or not, whether you want to eat it or not, you ordered NOT spicy, but ерун brought spicy - they write down $ 5 per person on the room's account.
Who rated that guesthouse 4 stars? When, what year? Which agency? When was the last recertification? This is a guest house - 1 or 2 stars maximum, if we can talk about stars at all.
THERE IS NO SPA! this is not a SPA hotel, not a SPA zone.
The description indicates that they provide a transfer. The LIE is that this guesthouse does not have its own good speed boat. And they resort to boat rental services from other owners. The cost of the transfer to the airport is constantly changing, it is clear that they are trying to make money on it. For 10 days of living in this accommodation facility, communicating with tourists who also lived in this place, came and went - the cost of the transfer varied from $ 25 per person to $ 140 per person. (At the same time, while living in another hotel, the cost of the transfer was constantly the same - $ 35 / person).
- Jonathan (10/5): Super Friendly - I had a good experience, start to finish.
The owner and staff were very helpful and friendly, the accomodation was spacious (I'm used to Hong Kong!) clean, and comfortable.
Food was good and plentiful.
I wasn't here for a vacation as such, it was a 'hop' location between countries on my way 'home'....my requirements might be quite different from people on a holiday!
The guys at the guest house did ask about excursions, swimming with sharks etc. but I didn't have the time in the week :(
Good people, comfortable, affordable place to be. WiFi just worked for everything I needed it for (I wasn't editing and posting video!)
Would visit again anytime. Recommended if you're visiting Guraidhoo and you want a quit, local experience.
I didn't take pics of the accomodation itself, they are all of Guraidhoo itself, sorry about that!
- Baronpm01 (10/5): The only place to stay in Guraidhoo - amazing! - Me and my partner stayed at the Ocean Retreat and Spa for 5 nights of our 3 week stay in the Maldives and we could not recommend it anymore.
If you are going to visit Guraidhoo, you have to stay here.
You get such a feel for the Maldivian lifestyle here, it’s so homely, you meet lots of friendly people who become friends (staff and guests) and you get the opportunity to experience amazing sights, snorkelling and other trips. You are treated so well and yet it is so affordable and excellent value for money in comparison to other hotels on the surrounding islands.
We were met by the owner at the port who showed us to a buggy and collected our luggage for us. He drove us to the hotel which is located a short distance away (it’s walkable but the buggy helped so much with the cases and in the heat). He was really friendly and asked about our journey and our trip. He told us about the island and about the hotel in the journey and showed us into the hotel when we arrived.
The other owner was waiting to greet us inside where we had welcome drinks waiting for us. She was also so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. She took great interest in us and we had a lovely conversation whilst we were checking in and sorting out paperwork.
The room was fairly spacious with a comfortable bed, TV, fridge and kettle, suitable storage and a safe, good air conditioning and fans, small balcony and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. Room service was available daily as well as unlimited tea, coffee and water.
The breakfast that was included is buffet style but changes each day. It includes local food as well as western/continental food. There’s also fresh fruit and fruit juice.
We would have loved to see the French toast there daily as it was amazing!
We didn’t get dinner included on our booking but we ate there most nights. It’s a buffet dinner for $7 per person which is amazing value for what you get and it’s the cheapest buffet dinner we found during our stay across 3 islands. The food was great and there was lots of it! There’s a mix of rice, noodles, curries, fish, chicken and other local foods. There was fresh fruit and sometimes a pudding (we wished there was pudding every day as it was so nice). For drinks there was water and fruit juice included in the price which wasn’t something we had seen at other buffets, usually you are charged more for drinks so this was great.
There is a rooftop terrace which has a lot of seating (table and chairs as well as sun loungers). It’s an excellent spot to sort through your photos, plan your trip or speak with family and friends at home as the WiFi is good up there. It’s an excellent spot to watch sunset also. You do also have the option at sitting up there to eat during meal times.
The guesthouse is home to a few cats that are all friendly and tame. If you’re not a cat person don’t worry, they are not invasive and don’t pester you. They are well looked after and fed by the owners and they don’t allow them in the restaurant area when you’re eating.
Zizu and Mohammed are in charge of service as well as organising and running the excursions. They do an amazing job and are very approachable and helpful. If you need anything or want any advice about excursions, Guraidhoo or the Maldives in general, Zizu will sort you out. Also, if there is something in particular you want to do (see turtles, sharks or rays) ask Zizu and he will do this especially for you.
The only areas that we noted through our stay that could have been improved are:
There could be a board with information about the excursions available to help advertise it and to help guests know what to expect. Especially when guest first arrive, it would be good to look at so they can start planning straight away.
We had full trust in Zizu and Mohammed to take us to the best places - which they did - it might just be easier for staff and guests to have an information board about the excursions to let guests know exactly what will be included on the trip.
A similar thing could potentially be done with the buffet dinner, to inform guests what food will be available that evening just in case people don’t like what’s available so they can make other arrangements.
The cleaner was really nice and he did a great job with the room however the door is left open for a long time while he is cleaning which means lots of flies can get into the room.
The bathroom did begin to smell a bit. There are windows that open into the corridor to ventilate it but that lets flies in so maybe air freshener in each bathroom could help.
These weren’t things they made our stay any less amazing, just things that could maybe improve things for future guests.
Thank you the Ocean Retreat and Spa. We felt at home at your guesthouse and felt like we became a part of your ever growing family. See you again
- HappyTraveller (2/5): - Dark hotel lobby terrible guy who is pushing you all the Time éven during meals tó buy trips ...
- danielmcdonelly (2/5): Shocking reality of Guraidhoo - We were eagerly waiting for our reservation when we decided to spend our "wintering" in Maldives on two islands.
Nearly 10,000 km away, it was difficult to decide which island and hotel to book.
In the end, we decided on Maafushi and Guraidhoo. We booked our hotel at home, based on what others wrote on the net, about the place and the island.
On the last evening of Maafushi, the hotel staff were extremely cordial with the Ocean Retrait & Spa Hotel on Guraidhoo - they called them - exactly when we would arrive and how many we would be in the port. We were excited about the new location.
The first surprise - deliberately not disappointment - was the arrival to the empty harbor, where nobody waited for us. Besides us, only the speedboat crew was present. They also asked if they could help and in which hotel we would be staying. After a wild phone call and after an overwhelming wait of 15 minutes on a hot sun, a hotel man arrived and burst into what he called a "misunderstanding" ... It's funny that the staff at the former hotel clarified our arrival in our presence the day before…
Okay, our man put our luggage in the car and we headed to the hotel. The reception and the hotel were fine, we did the check-in routine, got the passports back, but then the real surprise was that one of the hotel managers had to constantly confirmed that our reservation was valid and exactly what room was booked - was not reassuring a hesitant surprise on their face - the other being that the hotel had requested the full price of the room booked in advance - we would later guessed why - to pay it, even though we had not seen the room at that time.
The room was clean and bright, the aircon was quiet with the bath and everything else was as booked.
After a short rest, we decided to "explore" the tiny island.
Perhaps the frustration mixed with shock is not the best word for what we experienced . The "bikini beach" is hard to find for the average mortal, only we found it with local help - when we saw it I turned back 5 meters from the entrance because I would have sworn to get to the construction area. The beach overlooks a quiet bay enclosed by a shading net - as opposed to the "Holliday-Inn resort", which is a spectacular view of the beach until one turns or comes out of the water. On the beach there were a few deck chairs and chairs tossed with sloppy elegance. Half of the deckchairs are broken and unusable, but at least it's free. The tin fence and skeleton atmosphere of the adjacent abandoned construction depressed me on the beach.
Neither the small island nor the romantic bridge are as in the pictures. The bridge is at the southern part of the island leading to Lhosfushi. At the end of the football field you can reach the little bridge through a gigantic and constantly burning garbage dump. The smell and the sight are so strong contrast to the opposite paradise resort island that I cannot describe beautifully and sensitively, a sense of astonishment and trick in the middle of this planet paradise. Needless and frustrating. I trust on everyone's imagination, but for us after Maafushi, it was like kicking in the stomach or like an unjustified and irreversible medical error.
Getting across the island of discarded rubbish and ruiny construction debris will permanently deter any brave enthusiast. After the tour we were convinced - we wouldn't stay. The strong contrast between the strict dress code and the general garbage and the rubbish will confirm to any sane human that rest and relaxation are not waiting for him in this environment.
A mixture of disguised kindness, poor English knowledge and a push for money were waiting at the hotel. The dinner was delicious, but compared to the week we spent at Maafushin and the altruism there reinforced our afternoon’s discovery.
The programs offered at this hotel, were overpriced and sort of poor (sandbank and banana reef) compared to the same programs available at Maafushi.
I would like to share my personal impressions with others, I do not know why we missed negative experiences of others and we have not discovered the reality when we planned our journey...
The Maldives itself is a miracle; What I know I wish to return again, but deffinitely not Guraidhoo and this hotel.
Take a look at the pictures and decide for yourself.
- burtry (10/5): Fantastic holiday - A fantastic holiday. Nice hotel and marvellous staff. First choice ti come back. Andrea & Piero from Italy. Don't loose escursions and local life. See turtles dolphins, reef and local islands. Se spent here ten days
- Verified traveler (6/5): Ocean - Normaalsed, Spa-d sellest hotellist otsida pole mõtet.
Mullivann on, aga veest tühi; massaažide hinnakiri on, aga massööri mitte.
Toas omapärane lõhn, millega sees olle küll kohanes.
- Amsetus (10/5): An enjoyable stay at Guraidhoo - Since we arrived by speedboat we were greeted by the friendly staff that took as the few blocks from the port to the hotel. The rooms are very nice, everything one needs plus some extras as electrical plug converters. The roof has excellent view to the ocean. Breakfast buffet was also very nice. From there you can go a few blocks to Amore for dining and if you are into diving, Manta dive center. The locals are very friendly. Thanks to Mr Hameed and Muhamed Zunair. Looking forward to cumming back!
- Verified traveler (10/5): - I would say i give 10 star
- Verified traveler (6/5): - C'est un bon hotel dans l'ensemble mais nous avons été harcelé pour qu'on achète leurs excursions qui sont très cher. Si on achète pas on est très vite mal regardé... C'est dommage!
De plus, l'ile n'est pas touristique ce qui fait que tout est cher (epiceries, souvenirs, activités...) Et les plages ne sont pas aménagés pour les touristes (peu propres ou interdit aux bikinis). Mais ça ce n'est pas forcément de leur faute, mais bon à savoir!
- Inspiration710375 (10/5): Get to know the Maldivian people - Getting to this hotel is like coming home. Excellent welcome. They are all kind and always try to find a solution. eating is typical Asian and sometimes you can also find pasta. our room was clean and with a sea view balcony. There is a beautiful terrace with solarium and jacuzzi. Excellent boat trips to see the coral reef and white beaches: true paradises. thanks to Zizu who talks to all the guests and introduces you to the real Maldives
- heshans02 (10/5): Best Of Day With My partner - We had a great Holiday in ocean Retreat me and my girlfriend. Great room great service and great staff.
I’m highly recommend this place for your holiday in local island in Maldives.
Looking forward to visit again.
Thanks A lot.
Heshan And Anoosha
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Das Frühstück war etwas einseitig und die Auswahl nicht so groß
- pawelk2007 (10/5): Great place to stay - - very clean hotel
- nice and helpfull owners
- wifi working
- breakfast and diner - both local and international food
- nice trips organizedf by the owner (fishing, delphins, sandbank)
- nice possible trips to the resort
- Verified traveler (10/5): Awesome hotel! - It was wonderful stay at the hotel! Would come again!
- Verified traveler (10/5): Beautiful bikini beach island for pictures - It has been a wonderfull stay. The hotel is well managed and well kept. They always try to do their best. The island has no deep enouh bikini beack and is full of dead coral branches so getting into and out of the water is tricky use water shoes. The snorkeling also is almost nothing so the best bet is to get excursions that are very good.
- Verified traveler (6/5): - Hotel sta in via principale del isola, struttura vecchia ma in buone condizioni, personale gentile e cortese, spiaggia da fare il bagno non c’è vicino, perché hotel sta sul villaggio e li per rispetto a loro religione il bagno si fa solo coperte, a 15 minuti a piedi c’è isoletta dove si può fare il bagno, sul sito di hotel scritto, che trasfer 6 dollari da aeroporto, questo informazione vecchia , trasfer costa 50 dollari a persona andata e ritorno, se volete che vostra stanza viene pulita dovete lasciare cartellino furi la porta altrimenti non entrano e non puliscano ( in mio caso) 7 giorni senza cambia asciugamani , lavato da sola, la cucina molto semplice e tipica del posto, se siete amante del cibo sfizioso non per voi, ho lascIato passaporto in aeroporto in chance ( ragazza non mi ridato) state attente, hanno sistemato tutto loro e giorno dopo mi hanno riportato il passaporto , insomma il prezzo per servizio che offrono il giusto, se siete abituati a oceano a fronte e silenzio cercate sistemazione in resort, qui la vera vita Maldiva !
- Verified traveler (8/5): - L’hotel è bello e accogliente il personale cerca di accontentare tutte le esigenze, l’unica pecca ahimè è stata il cibo molto migliorabile nella preparazione e nella scelta di giorno in giorno, sempre i soliti 5/6 piatti
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Confermiamo in pieno gli ottimi giudizi precedenti.Staff molto cordiale e camere nuove e pulite.Noi avevamo la full board in superior e dobbiamo dire che non ci siamo potuti lamentare.Cibo buono e vario.Naturalmente la cucina e di tipo asiatico. Ottimo come base per visitare questa e altre isole vicine.Merita sicuramente una gita giornaliera la bichini beach di Gulhi.Noi abbiamo fatto due escursione con questo hotel e ci siamo trovati molto bene.Ci siamo affidati a loro anche per diversi trasferimenti e devo dire che sono stati estremamente precisi e puntuali.Il canale di comunicazione è stato wattzapp. L'isola è molto frequentata da turisti spagnoli che la usano come base per le immersioni.La bikini beach di questa isole è dirimpettaia alla laguna del kandona resort.Alcuni giorni è risultata sporca.Un saluto doveroso al proprietario dell'hotel per la sua estrema cortesia e disponibilità e a tutto il personale che ci hanno permesso una bella vacanza.
Come molti posti delle maldive che abbiamo visitato,anche in questa isola c'è il problema dello smaltimento della plastica.
Un ultima considerazione in merito alla preghiera del mattino: viene recitato (credo) un versetto del corano intorno alle 5 del mattino.dura due o tre minuti. fine di tutto.
- Kimberley J (8/5): - It's about a year old so it's more modern and kept clean. Booked with half board which was good.
- Chung Lin (10/5): 美麗的沙灘,熱情的員工 - 房間舒適而乾淨,水壓是弱了一點,不過瑕不掩瑜,所在的居民島還要從馬富施轉船過去稍嫌不便但離HOLIDAY INN僅需5分鐘的船程,當地的旅遊起步不久,大致上都保有純樸的風情,餐飲消費的選擇比較少,不過住居民島最重要的還是省錢與參加行程,
- Maria Elena (10/5): Wonderful stay at Ocean retreat and Spa - We had a wonderful stay at Ocean retreat and spa. The place is very well maintained, very clean, has excellent facilities, have a very delicious breakfast and everyone is very nice. They offer affordable excursions and they always make sure that everyone has a really good time. We enjoyed every minute of our stay in Ocean retreat and Spa and special thanks to ZiZu, Shamir, and I can't remember all the other names but everyone has been very nice.
- Chiara (8/5): - Molto accogliente, si vive il vero spirito maldiviano immersi tra gli abitanti, la loro cultura e i loro costumi. Suggestivo, affascinante e indimenticabile. L’isola è molto sporca ma portano i turisti in escursione ogni giorno.
- punjapol (10/5): Impressive - have guy take me from airport to ferry.nice guy serves at the hotel.
- CAROLINA CEC (8/5): El mejor hotel de la isla pero con sus "peros" - Es un hermoso hotel y la gente es MUY amable pero xq había pocos huéspedes no andaba el spa ni servían la cena buffet q habíamos pagado y eso nos decepcionó un poco. El wifi es muy bueno. Lo q sí es muy malo es q tiene una mezquita al lado y los parlantes para las horas de rezar están AL LADO de las habitaciones y eso te despierta a las 4.30/5am. Un poco lejos de la bikini beach. Así y todo es el mejor hotel de la isla.
- wawa (10/5): Le seule endroit de l’ile ou séjourner - J’ai pris une demie pension ce qui est très bien dans cette ile.
La chambre de luxe est super propre confortable avec une belle vue.
Le petit déjeuner est au top avec des spécialités locales (excellent) , il y a tous les jours des bouteilles d’eau qui sont mis en chambre avec un réfrigérateur et tout le confort dans les chambres et le soir le diner est sous forme de buffet excellent ( tout est fait maison c’est un régal pour les papilles)
Pour se baigner en maillot de bain il y a une presqu’ile à 5mn à pied et les serviettes de plages sont fournies par l’hôtel.
Incontestablement le meilleur hôtel de l’ile car sur la bikini plage on discute entre touristes et il y en a même qui ont changé d’hôtel pour venir au miens.
De l’ile on peut visiter d’autres iles et faire beaucoup de choses.
Les personnel est super et helpfull. Je devais prendre mon avion très tôt le matin et je ne souhaitais pas payer un speed boat une fortune ; à l’hôtel ils ont tout organisé pour que je passe ma dernière nuit à Malé, ils ont organisé mon transfert avec comme à l’allée une personne qui est venue me chercher et m’a pris en charge jusqu’au bout .
Le service est exceptionnel
- Rich (8/5): Comfortable and near all the beaches - This hotel was great, very accamodating and great with kids, flexible with excursions and their food is pretty good too. Staff very helpful, we stayed one week and didn't want to leave.
- Robin (6/5): Very friendly staff! - The hotel staff was very nice and really helpful. They made us feel very welcome and took good care of us. The facilities are very new and the rooftop is wonderful.
The island itself is however not the prettiest, it is rather dirty and the beach was not nice. This is of course nothing that the hotel can help.
We didn't like the fact that the hotel was located just next to the mosque and we woke up at five every morning as that was the time for the morning prayer. It sounded like they were inside our room screaming.
We would however want to give a huge plus for the service, the warmth and the hospitality of the staff. If you are going to Guraidhoo, this is a very good place to stay at.
- HADJER (8/5): Money value hotel - I spent one week in Ocean retreat hotel, it's a new small clean hotel. Guraidhoo is not a private island so you will live with a friendly local people. The staf was very friendly and helpful. About the food, it was delicious but not buffet all the day, Manta divingis just 100m beside the hotel.
Thank you all
- Florencia (10/5): - Muy buen hotel y excelente atención, cálida sin ser invasive. Zizu y todos te ayudan en lo que necesites. Con ellos mismos arreglamos las excursiones, buenos precios, no se abusan. Las comidas ricas y abundantes, opciones buffet para desayuno y cena (almuerzo a la carta). A metros del mar, se pueden apreciar las vistas desde la habitación y mejores aun desde la terraza. Excelente relación precio calidad.
- zahoor (10/5): amazing dolphin trip and snorkelling with turtles - Hotel and staff were very helpful. Clean beautiful views. Found full board good option and speedboat transfers great in comparison to Ferry. Exceptionally good as met at airport and guided to speedboat and met when arrived and dropped off when leaving. Great ambiance. Sea is a stones throw from hotel. Island is quiet.
- Verified traveler (10/5): My second visit will still stay here! - Fabulous experience! Staying here will make you feel like at home but surrounding by fantastic view, nature and ocean. Choosing a warm local retreat like this one would make your Maldives travel more real and closer to local life and saving more money. All the staff are very friendly and happy to share what to play, visit and enjoy. They also recommend fun water excursion with reasonable price. No need to worry about nothing to do.
Another spotlight is their food is very delicious, offering traditional Maldives-style food at breakfast and tasty buffet at dinner. All the dishes are very well tasty.
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Very good hotel, lovely people and relaxing place. I loved it!
- Jeffrey (10/5): Great hotel with friendly staff - We really enjoyed our stay here. They picked us up from the ferry and checked us in pretty quickly. Lobby was nice and air conditioned. Room was spacious and very clean and modern. Hotel staff were pleasant to talk to and very accommodating. Food was solid as well. I highly recommend this place if you are staying in guraidhoo!
- Verified traveler (10/5): 太喜歡這個住宿了 - 非常舒服的一間飯店
東西好吃
服務人員很親切有禮貌,也會提供不同活動給大家參考
- jun (10/5): Highly recommended - My stay for 2 nights was very comfortable, thanks to all hotel staffs who are attentive to details. I have nothing to complain about. I’ll definitely stay here again if I come back to this precious island.
- HIROSHI (8/5): ビーチが近い - ビーチまで徒歩5.6分
ロビーも清潔感あり問題なし。
ローカル島としてはなかなかいいホテルかと。
スタッフの対応もGOOD
料金に含まれない昼、夕食もリーズナブル
のんびり過ごすには良いです。
- Giusi (8/5): buon rapporto qualita' prezzo - Abbiamo soggiornato durante le feste di Natale presso questo grazioso albergo sull'isola di Guaraidoo.Il personale è accogliente e gentile,le camere pulite e ben arredate,la colazione e la cena a buffet con scelta di piatti tradizionali e occidentali.Si organizzano escursioni per vedere tartarughe,delfini e fare snorkelling.E' raggiungibile da Malè con barca veloce o tradizionale.
- neponen (10/5): Siisti hotelli ystävällisellä henkilökunnalla - Mahtava henkilökunta ja kaikki tarvittava löytyi! Aamupala oli riittävä ja suihku ja parveke kiva!
Photos